Review of traditional batik wastewater treatment in Indonesia to address environmental and health hazards and support sustainable practices of micro, small, and medium enterprises

Batik is a traditional Indonesian textile that was declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. The batik industry, which originated from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), has successfully driven the micro- and microeconomy. Batik production involves several stages that require the use of various chemicals, resulting in the generation of hazardous effluent. This effluent contains harmful contaminants, such as dyes, heavy metals, and organic/inorganic compounds, which pose environmental and health risks. Due to limitations in facilities, batik effluent is often improperly treated. Effective and efficient wastewater treatment solutions are needed, especially for MSMEs, which dominate the batik industry in Indonesia. This manuscript describes the potential contaminants arising from batik production, implemented countermeasures and treatment methods, and recommended low-cost, effective treatment methods considering the conditions of MSMEs. Several findings on contaminants from batik production should be addressed immediately by government regulation and by MSMEs through appropriate treatment methods. Appropriate treatment of batik waste not only protects and conserves the health of the surrounding environment but also improves the sustainability of the microeconomy of the community and the preservation of batik culture itself.